Modular frame with parabolic top

ABSTRACT

In one embodiment, the disclosure relates to a free-standing structure which includes an eight-sided roof perimeter; at least four geodesic structures extending from four sides of the eight-sided roof perimeter and supporting the perimeter; and at least four legs, each leg structurally corresponding with one of the at least four geodesic structures for upholding the free-standing structure.

The instant disclosure claims the filing-date benefit of U.S. patentapplication Ser. No. 11/502,566, filed Aug. 11, 2006, which claimed thefiling date benefit of Provisional Application No. 60/819,011, filedJul. 7, 2006, the specification of both applications are incorporatedherein in their entirety.

The disclosure generally relates to a modular frame and a coveringtherefor. In an embodiment of the disclosure, the modular frame is afree-standing structure which can be positioned independently or it canbe combined with other similar structures to provide a larger span ofcoverage.

BACKGROUND

Conventional frame tents, party tents, vestibule tents and common rentaltents are readily assembled and disassembled frame structures whichincorporate conventional slip fit elements for legs, perimeter and roofsupport pieces. Supporting legs of conventional tents are spaced atincrements of 10 to 20 feet, around the perimeter, along with therelated gable, hip or pyramid components needed to support the tent top.These multi-component assemblies provide the structural elements forsupporting the fabric tops of these shelters.

Frame tents are normally restricted to an interior span of less thanfifty feet wide due to structural requirements. This is because thelarge span roofs require additional support and cannot be free-standing.Accordingly, tents larger than 50 feet are classified as pole, bail ringtents, clear span beam or truss structures. Conventional large tentsrequire either a center pole (for supporting the roof fabric), a specialextrusion material (to be used as a clear-span beam supporting the rooffabric), or multiple structural pieces (for forming a clear-span trusssupporting the roof fabric). The multiple structural pieces form thebase for tensioning the fabric top between the structural elements.

Pole or bale ring tents require many perimeter support legs, commonlyspaced between 5 feet to 15 feet for tensioning the top; while clearspan beams or trusses units require multiple purlin spacers to maintainalignment and structural integrity of the support frame and commonly arespaced at varying distances up to 20 feet. The roofs of such tentsnormally extent above the perimeter frame a distance equal to 25 percentof the width of the tent for frame and pole tents, while structures mayextend 25 percent, or more, of the width of the tent from the ground. Astandard 20 foot by 20 foot frame tent may have as many as 59 structuralelements plus the top; while the quantity of pieces required to setuplarger tents increases in both quantity and length of pipes or extrudedbeams.

The conventional large tent structures also have a roof member whichdirectly supports the center or a portion of the roof. The roof memberhas been an essential part of the conventional tent structuresespecially when the tent's size increases requiring larger roof-topmaterial. The roof members are typically positioned inside the tentthereby interrupting the space under the roof of the tent.

The conventional large tents are also heavy, inefficient and costly toproduce and maintain. Because of the many structural parts, they providedifficult and time-consuming assembly and disassembly. Moreover, theweight of the fabric-top limits the span of the tent. Accordingly, thereis a need for a free-standing structural system that addresses thesedeficiencies.

SUMMARY OF THE DISCLOSURE

In one embodiment, the disclosure relates to a free-standing structurewhich includes an eight-sided roof perimeter; at least four geodesicstructures extending from four sides of the eight-sided roof perimeterand supporting the perimeter; and at least four legs, each legstructurally corresponding with one of the at least four geodesicstructures for upholding the free-standing structure.

In another embodiment, the disclosure relates to a modular free-standingstructure comprising: a plurality of support members forming a roofsupport structure and defining a roof perimeter for the free-standingstructure; a roof fabric covering the roof support structure; aplurality of load transfer structures upholding certain of the supportmembers and transferring the weight of the roof support structure; aplurality of legs for receiving the weight of the roof support structureand upholding the free-standing structure, the plurality of legsdefining a footprint perimeter for the free-standing structure; whereinthe footprint perimeter is larger than the roof perimeter.

In still another embodiment, the disclosure relates to a free standingmodular structure comprising a plurality of support members forming aneight-sided perimeter for receiving a roof cover; a plurality ofgeodesic structures, each geodesic structure sharing at least onesupport member with the eight-sided perimeter to define a geodesic areafor receiving a geodesic cover; and a plurality of legs, each legstructurally corresponding with one of the plurality of geodesicstructures, the plurality of legs defining a footprint area for themodular structure; wherein the footprint area is substantially equal toa sum of a roof cover area and the geodesic areas.

In still another embodiment, the disclosure relates to a method forproviding a free-standing coverage for an obstruction-free area, themethod comprising providing a support perimeter for receiving a roofcover; providing a plurality of geodesic corner structures to extendfrom the support perimeter and to receive a geodesic cover; andfreestanding the roof cover by connecting each of the geodesic cornerstructures to a leg member.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

The embodiment of the disclosure will be discussed in referenced to thefollowing non-limiting and exemplary drawings in which:

FIG. 1 is a plan view of a modular frame according to one embodiment ofthe disclosure;

FIG. 2 is a schematic representation of an exemplary modular framehaving the roof fabric assembled to the top of the frame pipe;

FIG. 3 is a side view of a portion of the modular structure shown inFIG. 1;

FIG. 4 is a plan view of an embodiment of the disclosure havingparabolic shaped top where the fabric top is attached to the bottom ofthe frame pipe;

FIG. 5 shows a joint for connecting two members;

FIG. 6 shows a three-way joint for connecting three members;

FIG. 7 represents a three-way joint which has different angles forconnecting three members;

FIG. 8 shows an exemplary base plate adapted to receive two legs;

FIG. 9 shows an modular frame adapted to combine with similar frames toform a larger structure;

FIG. 10 shows the modular frame of FIG. 9 with a parabolic shaped roofcover assembled thereon;

FIG. 11 shows the combination of several modular frames as shown in FIG.9;

FIG. 12 shows the top modular assembly top plate 1200 as demonstrated inthe assembly of FIG. 11;

FIG. 13 is a schematic representation of the structure shown in FIG. 11with a top cover assembled thereon;

FIG. 14 is a schematic representation of the structure shown in FIG. 11with a parabolic shaped top cover assembled thereon; and

FIG. 15 is a schematic representation of a modular frame with supportmembers 1510 and 1520 of varying length.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

An embodiment of the disclosure relates to a wide-span modularfree-standing structure. The modular structure combines the structuralcomponents of the fabric top with the structural elements of the supportframe, eliminating the need for the additional roof-support bracing.While the top may have many geometric forms, in one embodiment the topis substantially octagonal. The octagonal top frame along with geodesiccomers provides converge to the supporting legs with the built inparabolic shaped top. It also provides the necessary flowing curvaturefor water removal, while integrating structural tensioning of the topfrom the perimeter structural frame forms the base tent unit.

The octagonal perimeter frame of equal or unequal side dimensionsprovides support only at the four comers, thereby providing clear sideopenings, based upon the tent size, from 10 feet to 40 feet or larger.Due to structural requirements for snow or wind loadings, an interiorwire cable system may be optionally added, along with a cable to fabrictop tensioning rod to offset the loading needs. A tent according to oneembodiment of the disclosure can incorporate conventional slip fitdesign elements for the octagonal perimeter frame, geodesic comers andthe vertical legs.

The structural components (base plates, frame pipe fittings, pipes andmodular assembly elements) can be constructed from any structuralmaterial products, including but not limited to steel, aluminums,plastics and composite products (i.e., carbon fiber) and alloys. Theparabolic-shaped top can be constructed from any fabric which hasstructural supporting characteristics and can have either sewn or weldedjoints. Sidewalls or partition walls can be either attached to thefabric or side frame members and constructed from any fabric which hasstructural supporting characteristics and can have either sewn or weldedjoints. These walls can be attached with VELCRO® type connectors,zippers or webbing.

FIG. 1 is a plan view of a modular frame according to one embodiment ofthe disclosure. To ease description, the structure of FIG. 1 is shownwithout a roof top. Referring to FIG. 1, the free-standing modular frame100 includes base-plate. The base-plate defines a footprint which is theperimeter of the structure. That is, by drawing an imaginary linebetween the adjacent base-plates, a footprint for the structure can bedetermined. The base-palate 110 is shown to have several connectionspoints for securing the structure to the ground. The connection pointscan be sized to receive an anchor or the like. Base plate 110 may havean integrated structure to receive one or more legs 101. For example,FIG. 1 also shows base plate 112 adapted to support two legs 102. Eachleg couples (or connects) to a geodesic corner structure 120. Thegeodesic corner structure 120 comprises of at least three structuralmembers coupled to each other to substantially form a triangle. Thegeodesic corner structure 120 may be adapted to receive more than oneleg as shown in the geodesic structure 122. While the geodesic cornerstructure is shown as having three members forming a triangle, theprinciples disclosed herein are not limited thereto. Indeed, a cornerstructure not resembling the triangular shape shown in FIG. 1, forexample a parabolic structure can be used without departing from theprinciples of the disclosure.

Structural support members 130 connect the geodesic structures to eachother and can be seen as interposed between two adjacent geodesicstructures. The connection of the support members and the geodesicstructures forms perimeter 35, which in the non-limiting embodiment ofFIG. 5, is octagonal. Parameter 135 provides a frame for receiving theroof-top material for the modular tent.

FIG. 1 also shows cross-members 105 and 106 connecting support members130 to each other. Cross-members can be tension wires, bars, rods or anyother conventional structural mean. As shown in FIG. 1 tension wires 105and 106 meet at center point 107. While not shown in FIG. 1, a supportbar can be placed at the center point 107 between the top tension wire105 and the bottom tension wire 106 or above both wires (105 and 106) tothe underside of the fabric top, to create a peak at the center of themodular structure 100. Once parameter 135 is covered by a roof-topmaterial, the peak at center 107 will help repel water and debris. Thus,a peak is provided without the need to have a separate roof-supportmember that disrupts the space inside the structure. FIG. 1 also showsfootprint 150 which is the surface area defined by foot-prints 110 (and112).

While the exemplary embodiment of FIG. 1 shows cross-members 105 and 106connecting support members 130 which are opposite to each other, theprinciples disclosed herein are not limited thereto and can apply tocross-members which couple (or connect) adjacent support members.

It should be noted that because FIG. 1 is a plan view of a modularframe, the perimeter 135 may appear smaller than the foot-print of themodular frame. However, as will be demonstrated in side-view FIG. 3,such is not the case.

FIG. 2 is a schematic representation of an exemplary modular framehaving the roof fabric assembled to the top of the modular frame pipethereon. Referring to FIG. 2, modular frame 200 is shown with legs 101supporting geodesic corner structure 120. A roof fabric 210 covers thetop surface of the structure formed by the plurality of support members130 and geodesic corner structures 120. The roof fabric can be extendedto cover the space supported by each geodesic corner structure as isshown by regions 215. In the exemplary embodiment of FIG. 2, additionaltension wires 220 adjoin opposite comers. The implementation of tensionwires 220 is optional. In an alternative embodiment, the tension wiresare support rods configured to provide a small slope or a slant byraising the center point 225 slightly above the support members 130.Such configuration enables the modular frame to shed water and debris.This top can be used to cover an individual wide span modular freestanding structure or incorporated to cover the same frame, reconfiguredto form a larger modular component interior clear span frame tent.

FIG. 3 is a side view of a portion of the modular structure shown inFIG. 1. In FIG. 3, base-plate 112 receives legs 102. Each leg 102connects to geodesic corner structure 120 through a different joint 310,312. Additional joints 314 and 316 define the geodesic corner structure120. Bars 330, 332 and 334 can be fabricated from any conventionalmaterial including, aluminum, titanium, steel, carbon fiber, etc.

Because FIG. 3 is a side view, it can be readily seen that the coveragearea of the roof top supported by roof parameter 135 is substantiallysimilar to that the of the foot-print perimeter of the modularstructure. In one embodiment, the size of the parameter 135 issubstantially the same as the parameter defined by the base-plates 110.In another embodiment, the surface area of the foot-print issubstantially equal to the surface area of the roof combined with thesurface area of the geodesic portions.

FIG. 4 is a plan view of an embodiment of the disclosure havingparabolic top 410. Parabolic-shaped top 410 can be made of anyconventional material having structural value including, for example,vinyl, PVC, canvas, etc. The parabolic-shaped top extends to cover thegeodesic portions 415. The parabolic-shaped top can be attached to thebottom side of the modular frame and can have a parabolic shape whichcreates a curvature from the center of the top to the comers, providingfor drainage and debris removal. This parabolic-shaped top also providesa structural bracing of the modular frame to reduce lateral movementfrom the wind.

FIG. 5 shows the exemplary joint 500 which can be use in connection withthe principles disclosed herein. Joint 500 generally has an elbow shapeand may form a right-angle. Opening 510 can be sized to receive a leg, apart of the geodesic structure or cross members. An optional notch 520is formed on each side of the joint to receive a complementary ball orrelease mechanism. From the member which is received by the joint.

Similarly, FIG. 6 shows a three-way joint for connecting three members.Again, notches 620 can be optionally formed to secure an adjoiningmember with a complementary ball or release mechanism. FIG. 7 representsthe three-way joint of FIG. 6 from a different angle. A similarnumbering scheme is used in FIG. 7 to identify the various portion ofthe three-way joint.

FIG. 8 shows an exemplary base plate adapted to receive two legs. Baseplate 800 is shown to have four holes 805 formed therein. Holes 805 canbe devised to receive an anchor bolt securing the base plate to theground. Receiving tubes 810 can also be integrated to base plate 800.Each receiving tube 810 can releasably receive, for example, a leg ofthe modular frame 100 as shown in FIG. 1. Opening 812 can be sized toaccommodate the appropriate members while rejecting others. Notch 814 isformed in the receiving tubes 810 to releasably engage a structuralmember or a leg having a complementary release or attachment mechanism.Cavity (or marker) 815 can be positioned centrally within the base plateto identify the tent frame size and provide a reference point for layingout the base plates prior to assembling the structural components.

According to one embodiment of the disclosure several modular frames canbe combined to form a larger structure. FIG. 9 shows a modular frameadapted to combine with similar frames to form a larger structure.Referring to FIG. 9, three of base plates 905 are positioned on theground and adapted to receive two legs 910 each. In addition, each ofbase plates 905 supports a geodesic corner structure 920. Geodesiccorner structure 925 is coupled to leg 915 which ends in base plate 917.Geodesic corner structure 925 as well as leg 915 and base plate 917 arerotated to point up-ward and away from the ground.

FIG. 10 shows the modular frame of FIG. 9 with roof cover 1010 assembledthereon. It can be readily seen that cover 1010 extends to covergeodesic corner structure 925 which is turned upward.

When creating a larger interior clear span modular frame tent, four ofthe basic Modular Frames can be grouped together. Three of the geodesiccorner and leg assemblies of each modular frame, are assembled normally;while the fourth is reversed, with the geodesic comers and leg assemblypointed upward. The four center geodesic comers and leg assemblies areattached to the Top Modular Assembly Base plate 1200, which allow thestructural forces from the center to be balanced against each other whenassembled. Due to structural requirements for snow or wind loadings, aninterior wire cable system may be added between the octagonal frames.Opening the center of the Modular Assembled tents, in distances of 20feet to 80 feet or larger, allows the larger clear spanned area to beavailable, while maintaining the larger clear side openings. Thisconfiguration of Modular Frames to create larger structures withoutspecial beam or truss span components, thereby reducing the quantity ofperimeter legs while obtaining the larger clearance spaces and reducingthe time needed to set up these larger tents.

FIG. 11 shows the combination of several modular frames as shown in FIG.9. Namely, FIG. 11 shows the combination of modular frames 110, 1104,1106 and 1110. At the point where each two modular frames join (e.g.,frames 110 and 1106) the legs can be supported by a specially-adaptedbase plate 1120 which can accommodate 2 or more legs or use the standardleg base plate connected adjacent to each other. Additional joinerelements (not shown) that couple other members (e.g., legs) of thecoupled frames may optionally be used. As shown in FIG. 11, each frame1102, 1104, 1106 and 1110 will have one geodesic corner structure andleg turned upward. The upwardly-facing geodesic corner structures andlegs for each of the modular frames can be joined at the center to formcenter peak 1130. Peak 1130 provides a means for shedding water andother debris and provides structural stability. To provide additionalstructural stability, the legs from the joinder of the geodesic cornerscan be coupled through top plate 1135 or similar devices. Furtherstructural rigidity can be provided by optionally assembling tensionswires 1140 and 1145 which connect support members 1112, 1114, 1116 and1118.

Cross members 105 are also shown in FIG. 11. These cross members can betension wires separated by a spacer (not shown) such that the toptension wire is slightly elevated over the bottom tension wire. Thus,each of the modular frames 1102, 1104, 1106 and 1110, when covered by aroof material will have a slight peak for shedding water.

FIG. 12 shows top plate 1200 as demonstrated in the assembly of FIG. 11.In FIG. 12, top plate 1200 includes several receiving tubes 1210. Eachreceiving tube 1210 is sized to releasably receive a leg memberassociated with a modular frame of the structure. Top plate 1200 alsoshelters the opening at top of peak 1130 (see FIG. 11).

FIG. 13 is a schematic representation of a modular structure 1300including the structure shown in FIG. 11 with a top cover assembledthereon. The top cover in this schematic is attached to the top of themodular frame assembly pipe. The modular frame 1300 can be devise so asto minimize seams 1310. Alternatively, seam covers (not shown) can beprovided to obviate water leakage.

FIG. 14 is another schematic representation of the structure shown inFIG. 11 with a top cover assembled thereon. The top in therepresentation of FIG. 14 is a parabolic top which can be attached tothe underside of the modular frame pipe. The openings between themodular frame parabolic tops is closed with a joint cover (not shown) toobviate water leakage.

It can be seen that the embodiments disclosed herein provide astructural frame that, among other: (1) reduces the visual obstructionof standard tent roofs; (2) reduces the length of pipe componentsrequired to construct a frame tent; (3) reduces assembly and disassemblytime; and (4) increases the width size of slip joint frame constructedtents.

The embodiments disclosed herein are exemplary in nature and are notintended to limit the scope of the principles disclosed and/or claimedherein. Other embodiments which are not specifically described hereincan be made in accordance with the principles of the disclosure andwithin the scope of these principles.

1. A support structure, comprising: a plurality of geodesic structuresformed by connecting a geodesic roof support bar to a pair of geodesicload transfer bars; a plurality of roofline support bars interposedbetween adjacent geodesic roof support bars to form an octagonal planarroofline; a plurality of legs for supporting the structure, each of theplurality of legs coupled to at least one of the plurality of geodesicload transfer bars; and wherein each of the legs extends substantiallyvertically from one or more of the load transfer bars to uphold thesupport structure and to form an upright cubic structure with a flatroofline.
 2. The support structure of claim 1, wherein each of theplurality of legs communicates with one of the geodesic load transferbars.
 3. The support structure of claim 1, wherein each of the pluralityof legs communicates with two of the geodesic load transfer bars.
 4. Thesupport structure of claim 1, further comprising a cross-member forconnecting a pair of opposing roofline support bars at a locationbetween a proximal end and a distal end of the each roofline supportbar.
 5. The support structure of claim 1, further comprising across-member for connecting a pair of opposing geodesic roof supportbars at a location between a proximal end and a distal end of the eachroofline support bar.
 6. The support structure of claim 1, wherein theroofline supports a cover.